Festival Fantasia 2025 Queer

An Inclusive and Vibrant Line-Up for the 29th Edition

From July 16 to August 3, 2025, the Fantasia International Film Festival returns for its 29th edition, showcasing more than 125 feature films and 200 shorts. The event opens with Eddington by Ari Aster — a paranoia-fueled pandemic western starring Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone, and Austin Butler — and closes with Genndy Tartakovsky’s animated feature Fixed. Notable titles include Cielo by Alberto Sciamma and Good Boy by Ben Léonberg. The queer selection stands out for its fearless approach and deep emotional resonance.

Fucktoys: Queer, Trashy Odyssey Through Louisiana

Directed by and starring Annapurna Sriram, Fucktoys is a campy tribute to John Waters and Russ Meyer. Set in the wild bayous, the film follows AP, a cursed sex worker on a mission to gather $1,000 to consult a psychic. Shot on 16mm, this vibrant tale is steeped in bold humor, raw sensuality, and maximalist queer aesthetics. It features Big Freedia as the psychic and François Arnaud in a supporting role.

🗓️ July 22 at 9:30 PM, Théâtre Hall (paired with The Rebirth).

Influencers: Chilling Return of the Enigmatic CW

Following the success of Influencer, director Kurtis David Harder returns with a sequel spotlighting CW (played by Cassandra Naud) as she clashes with another fame-hungry influencer in southern France. Starring Veronica Long and Jonathan Whitesell, this slick thriller explores social satire, sinister tension, and pitch-black humor.

🗓️ July 25 at 6:15 PM, Théâtre Hall (paired with Headcase).

Looking for an Angel: Queer Reflection and Rural Elegance from Japan

Shot in 1999 by Akihiro Suzuki, Looking for an Angel is a meditative portrait of queer memory set in rural Japan. Two friends reminisce about a late companion, a former adult film actor, offering a poetic and tender ode to friendship, grief, and life at the margins.

🗓️ July 28 at 4:45 PM, Théâtre Hall (paired with Strawberry Shortcake).

Old Guys in Bed: Celebrating Age and Intimacy

Veteran filmmaker JP Bergeron, aged 73, debuts his emotionally rich feature Old Guys in Bed, centering on Paul, a 60-something historian navigating hookup apps with the help of his niece. The film offers a moving exploration of romance and gerontophilia, breaking ageist stereotypes with grace and wit.

🗓️ August 3 at 7:00 PM, Cinéma du Musée.

Queens of the Dead: Drag Queens Meet the Undead in Brooklyn

Directed by Tina Romero — daughter of horror legend George A. Romero — Queens of the Dead fuses camp and carnage in a queer zombie extravaganza. Dre, a drag performer, is in the middle of a show when the apocalypse erupts. With a dazzling cast including Katy O’Brian and Margaret Cho, the film blends horror, comedy, and spectacular queer flair.

🗓️ August 2 at 9:30 PM, Théâtre Hall (paired with Whitch).

The Serpent’s Skin: Queer Gothic Horror from a Rising Talent

At just 20 years old, Mackay delivers The Serpent’s Skin, a radical and transgressive gothic fairytale. The story follows Anna, a runaway, who forms a bond with Gen, a tattoo artist with a dark aura. Together, they unwittingly summon a demon. Starring Alexandra McVicker and Betsey Brown, the film embraces a gonzo aesthetic and unapologetically queer style.

🗓️ July 23 at 9:25 PM and July 25 at 12:00 PM, Salle J.A. de Sève (with The Dysphoria).

Touch Me: Sensory Sci-Fi with a Human Core

Directed by Addison Heinmann, Touch Me explores addiction, connection, and identity via a psychedelic, extraterrestrial parasite that alters the lives of a complicated trio. With Olivia Taylor Dudley, Jordan Gavaris, and Lou Taylor Pucci, this genre-blending film weaves dark comedy, science fiction, and emotional drama into one unforgettable experience.

🗓️ August 2 at 7:05 PM and August 3 at 2:05 PM, Salle J.A. de Sève.

Must-See Queer Short Films

This year’s queer short film category is bursting with creativity and diversity. Highlights include:

• The Dysphoria
• Strawberry Shortcake
• Heart Hunter
• Twinkhood
• Visceral
• No Love Lost
• Dumpster Duchess
• Blair’s Craft Project
• …and many more.

Practical Information

Screenings will be held across several prestigious Montreal venues, including Théâtre Hall, Salle J.A. de Sève, Cinéma du Musée, Cinémathèque québécoise, and Galerie BBAM! For the full schedule or to purchase tickets, visit fantasiafestival.com/fr.